In a heartwarming twist of fate, a one-year-old terrier mix named Flan narrowly escaped a grim fate after being discarded in a self-compacting trash bin in Los Angeles County. Last week, a vigilant police officer came to Flan’s rescue and later offered the pup a new lease on life by adopting him.

The dramatic rescue unfolded when a Gardena, California police officer, while on duty near a local church amid the holiday bustle, detected faint cries emanating from a trash can. The officer’s keen ears led to the discovery of the terrified dog, abandoned and left for dead.

Upon finding Flan, the officer immediately contacted Gardena Animal Control. The young terrier was then transported to the South Bay Adoption Center operated by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA). There, Flan received much-needed medical attention, nourishment, and a temporary haven while fulfilling a standard stray holding period.

Though surveillance cameras were installed outside the church, the footage has not yet been shared with law enforcement, according to spcaLA. The organization has not disclosed whether an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Security cameras were present outside the church, spcaLA said, but the footage was not released to police. The nonprofit did not immediately say whether the incident remains under investigation.

However, what could have ended tragically instead turned into a happy ending.

Days after the rescue, the same officer returned to the adoption center — this time with his family — to adopt Flan and give him what spcaLA described as “the safe and loving home he deserves.”

“This is one rescue we’ll never forget,” the nonprofit said.